Washing machine



L ?June 6, 1939.

WASHING MACHINE' Filed Jan. 31,- 19:56

Figi.

ITWenOT-z Herbert? aTfF,

V4 MM HS tft. @Tfn e y Patented June 6, 1939 1 IUNITEDy STATES PAT-ENTOFFICE l 7 taupe e Herbert F. Barim, Hamden. Conn.,4 asaignor to GeneralElectric company, a corporation of,

New York Application .mmm s1, 1m, serial N 61,604

1a clam. (ci. n-zsi The present invention relates to washing ma.- chinesof l,the type having a. centrifugal extractor for dryingthe clothes.

'I'he object of -my invention is to provide an improved construction andarrangement in washing machines of this type, and for a consideration ofwhat I believe to be novel and my invention attention is directed to thefollowing description and the claims appended thereto. A

In the accompanying drawing, Flg. 1 is an elevation -partly in sectionoi' a washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged viewof the driving connections for the agitator and the rotatable receptacleas shown in Fig. 1; 5 Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 2--3 ofFig. 2; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the guide bearingfor the vertical shaft.

Referring to the drawing, the washing machine comprises a stationary tubI which is supported Z0 on a base 2. The upper end of the tub ispartially closed by an annular cover 2 having a flange l which fitswithin the upper edge of the tub. Between the iiange 4 and the tub is a.suitable gasket 5. A cover! rests on the inner edge of the annular cover3 and completes the closing When clothes of the wp of the stationarytub. are to be inserted or removed from the washing machine, only thecover 6 need be removed. 'I'he cover l is removed when theinsidefof thesta tionary tub is to be cleaned. The base 2 is provided with a skirt 1which extends above 'the bottom of the stationary tub and covers the-abutting edgesof the tub and the base.

Within the base 2 is supported a driving mech' anisin for the washingmachine which is adapted to effect selective oscillation or rotation ofa vertical shaft 8. Anysuitable driving mechanism may be used, forexample, the driving'mechanism shown in application, S'. N. 14,255,tiled -April 2, 1935. Keyed to the shaft 8 is a brake drum 9. The brakedrum 9 is'connected by means of a universal joint to the lower end of avertical shaft I0 which extends through a sleeve II. The universal jointcomprises diametricaliy opposed pins' I2 which'are flxed in ears I3 onthe upper side of the brake drum. VThe inner ends of the pins I2 arejournaled in bearings Il clamped between plates .Il which i'orm theintermediate member of the universal Joint. The lower end of the shaftIU is provided with diametrically opposed pins Il which are spacedbetween the pins I2 and are likewise journaled in bearings .carriedbetween the plates II. With this construction, thevertical shaft Il mayhave a gyratory movement with respectl to the'drivin'g shaft l.

. level in the stationary tub I`.

'- resilient material.

sleeve, may have a'gyratory movement.

The sleeve II extends above the normal water The upper end of the sleeveis provided with a spherical seat for a self-lubricating sleeve bearingI 1 which guides the vertical shaft I9. This spherical seat, which 5 ismore clearly shown in Fig. 4, comprises a flared portion Il of thesleeve and a collar I9 which isl threaded into the upper end of thesleeve. Thisspherical seat permits alignment of the bearing I'I withftheshaft Il so that the bearing pressure 10 is Iifniforrm regardless of theinclination of the sh t. v

The housing for the driving mechanism which is supported within the base2 has a, hollowpost 2l which` extends through central openings in 5 thetop wall of the base and the bottom wall of the stationary tub. The post20 is secured to the bottom wall of the tub and to the base by means ofscrews 2l which are threaded through a clampingring 22 into a angc 23which is integral with 20 the post 20. Suitable gaskets are arrangedbetween the ilange 23 and the base and between the base and the bottomwall ofthe tub. Leak. age 4from the bottom of the tub is prevented bymeans of a rubber sleeve 24 which has its lower 25 edge clamped betweenthe ring 22 and the bottom of the tub and which has its upper edgeclamped to the sleeve II above the post 20 by means of a clampv 25.Within the post 20 is a resilient' mounting for the lower end of thesleeve I I which 30 comprises two annuluses 26 of rubber or other Thelowerv annulus is arranged between an inwardly extending flange 21 atthe lower end of the post 2li and a iiange 28 vprojecting from'a sleeve29 secured to the sleeve 35 I.I. .'The upper annulus is arranged betweentheV upper side of the ange 28 and a washer 30. The

inner edge lof the upper annulus 26 rests against -29 and is used sothat the annuluses 28 may be of the same size. The resilience of themounting is adjusted by means of a nut 32 which is threaded. into theupper `end of the post 20'. 'Ihis nut varies the compression of therubber and thereby 45 varies the stiffness of the mounting. With thismounting, the sleeve II is resiliently heldin a central position and isfree to tilt in all directions in vorder that the shaft I 0, which isguided inthe 50 In the upper part of the stationary tub is a rotatabletub o r receptacle 33 for receiving liquid and material to be washed.The space between the bottom of the receptacle 93 and the'bottom `of thestationarywtub I issufilcient to provide a as storage space for all theliquid which can be placed in the receptacle. At the center of thereceptacle is a vertical sleeve 34 whichserves as 'the hub for thereceptacle. The upper end of the sleeve 34 projects above the waterlevel in the receptacle. y'I'he lower end of the sleeve 34 1 lits intoan opening in the bottom wall of the receptacle and an opening in asti'lfening disk 33,

of the sleeve against an inwardly extending flange both of which areheld in position between a shoulder and a spun-over portion, as shown'at33. The lower end of the sleeve 34 is provided with a circular flange 31which extends over the upper side .of the bottom wall'of the receptacle.'I'he flange 31 andthe stifiening disk 33 are secured to the bottom wallof the receptacle by means of rivets 33. The lower end of thev sleeve 34is guidedby 'a self-lubricating bearing 33 which is fixed either to thevertical shaft I3 or to the sleeve 34. The upper end of the sleeve 34 isguided o n the shaft I by a self-lubricating sleeve bearing 43 which ispressed within the upper end 4l formed thereon. The lower end of thesleeve bearing 43 bears on a hardened steel thrust collar 42 which iskeyed tothe shaft I3. I'he thrustcollar is supported on the shaft 'bymeans of a shoulder 43 on the shaft. 'I'he weight of the receptacle andthe material contained therein is transmitted to the thrust collar 42by-the bearing 4|! and through the shoulder 43 to the shaft I3. From theshaft I3 the weight is transmitted through the universal joint andtheshaft 3 to a suitable thrust bearing in the driving mechanism 'which iscontained within the base 2. When the covers 3 and 3 are removed, the belifted from the shaft.

The shaft Il! projects above-the sleeve 34 and the projectingendisprovided. with splines 44 which nt between complementary splines formedin a bushing 43 which isv fixed in the upper -end of .the hub of anagitator 43. Leakage of water through the upper end of the agitator asthe A 33. During this oscillation of the agitator the receptacle remainssubstantially stationary. due to inertia. The clothes are prevented fromfall- `ing over the upper edge ofthe receptacle by means of an annularguard ring 43 which ,is located slightly belowthe upper edge of the reeceptable. During washing, water may be con-- tinuously dischargedintothe top of the receptacle. -The excess water will'fiow through openings43 inthe guard ring over. the upper edge of the receptacle, carryingwith it the scum which floats on top of the water. The inner edge of theguard ring 43 is provided with 'a vertical flange 33 having a roundedupper edge 3l which.

4serves as a handle by means of which the receptacle vmay be lifted fromthe shaft".

During extracting, the driving connection' between the shaft I0 and thereceptacle 33 is effected by means of a centrifugal clutch .whichiscarried on the thrust collar 42. 'I'hls clutch comprises two shoes 32which are held against-- a squared cam surface 33 of the thrust collarby means of two split rings 34. During washing, the agitator 43 Yisosciliated and the oscillation of the 4receptacles may vla 1s actuated Yshaft lo is at a relauvey slow speed or the order' of magnitude of 60oscillations per minute, and

lthe split rings 34 are strong enough to hold the sleeve 34 which formsthe hub of the receptacle 3 3. As soon as the shoes '32 contact theinner surface of the sleeve 34, -their rotation is retarded- 'and thesquared surface 33 of the collar 42 'cooperates with theA inner surfaceof the shoes 32 and -wedges the shoes tightly against the inner surfaceof the sleeve 34. This effects a positive driving connection between theshaft I0 and the receptacle which causes the receptacle to be rotated.Similarly, when lthe speed of the shaft is retarded by a brake instopping, the shoes release and wedge 'in the opposite direction.

Thisclutch construction and the provision of a self-aligning bearing forguiding the vertical shaft I0 is not my invention, but is the invenertial and the oscillation vof the agitator relative to the receptaclecauses the clothes to be washed. During the washing operation, thereceptacle 33 will probably be tilted to one side due to the fact thatthe clothes are not uniformly distributed in the receptacle. Thisinclination is permitted by.

the resilient vsupport for the lower end of the sleeve H and lby theuniversal joint arranged be- 1 tweenthe driving shaft 3 and the lowerend of the shaft I 3. Water is preferably continuously dischargedlntothe top. of the receptacle 33 and allowed to flow continuously over theupper edgeof the receptacle, thereby floating off the scum whichcollects on the top of .the water. During the washing operation thebearing loss in.thev

bearings 3 3 -and 43 is negligible due to the low speed of oscillationof the shaft i3.

f At the' conclusion of the washing operation the driving mechanism isadjusted so that the shaft 3 is rotated' continuously in one direction.As soon as the speed of rotationl of the shaft 3 exceeds -a few hundredR. P. M. the clutch shoes 32 'move outwardly under the action ofcentrifugal force and touch the inner surface of` the sleeve 34 whichforms the hub of the receptacle 33. Assoon as `the shoes 32 contact theinner .surface of the sleeve 34, their rotation is retarded and thesquared surface 33 of the collar 42 co-operates with the inner surfaceof the shoes 32 and wedges the shoes tightly against the inner surfaceof the sleeve 34. This effects a positive driving connection between theshaft I3 and the receptacle which causes the receptacle to be rotated. l

Since the clothes may be nonuniformly distributed in the receptacle, thereceptacle may be unbalanced. This unbalance will usually consistpartially of a static unbalance which is vequivalent to `a single weightdisplaced from the` axis of rotation of the' receptacle and partially ofdynamic unbalance `which `is equivalent to the couple produced bytheweights of equal size located in different planes on opposite sid oi'and'- equidistant from lthe axis of rotation of the receptacle. Thestatic unbalance will tend to -cause gyration of the'receptacle aboutits axis so that the receptacle rotates about its center of mass.

tralizing the erect of static unbalance. since the" resilient mountinghas some stiffness, the gyration of the receptacle about its` axis isnot suflicient to permltthe receptacle to rotate about its =center ofmass but the resilient mounting does permit suilicient gyration of thereceptacle so that the vibration due to static unbalance is considerablydecreased. However, the sleeve bearings 39 and 4l) prevent' tilting ofthereceptacle `with respect to the shaft Il and the receptacle willtherefore cause vibration due to the dynamic unbalance. This tendency ofthe receptacle to tilt causes heavy bearing pressure on the bearings 39and 40, but since there is no relative rotation between the bearingsurfaces of these bearings', thispressure causes no bearing loss. Mostof the force due to the dynamic unbalance of the receptacle will betransmitted through the unlversal joint at the lower end of the shaftIll to the shaft 8. This force is taken by the bearings in which theshaft 8 rotates. Since the bearings for the shaft 8 are a considerabledistance from the receptacle 33, vthe force on the bearings due to theunbalanced couple is less than it would be at a point nearer thereceptacle. This means that the bearing loss due to the unbalancedcouple is decreased. Also, these bearings are located below thestationary tub I and are therefore not subjected 4to the humidatmosphere within thetub and more easily lubricated. Some of the forcedue to the dynamic unbalance or l unbalanced couple is transmitted tothe sleeve II However, since thissleeve is resiliently supported and thelower end of thereceptacle hasbeen guided on the sleeve -by means ofr asleeve bearing between the receptacle and the sleeve. With,`

this construction, the thrust bearing has had to-v be iarge enough rtowithstand'the bearing loads' resultingv from high speed'rotation of thereceptacle and the tendency of the receptacle to tilt due to dynamicunbalance has resulted in heavy bearing pressures between the sleevebearingv between the lower end of the receptacle and the guiding sleevefor the vertical shaft. Due to the heavy pressures, thebearing losses inthis bear- 'ing have been large and-in soine cases have amounted tomorethan one-quarter of the total power requiredto rotate thereceptacle.

In 'the presentconstruction during extracting, thereis no relativerotation' between the bearing surfaces of the. thrust bearing 40 whichsupports the receptacle on theshaft or between the bearing surfacesofthe sleeve bearing!!- whichguides `.the lower end of the receptacle onthe shaft' 1, re is therefore no. bearing loss -in these bearings.during extracting. `Also, 4clue to the resilient 'support lfor thesleeve vII the bearing pressures on the bearing il are'reduced with theresult of decrease in bearing loss.

Since the sleeve' Il is resiliently supported at a point spaced from theuniversal jointl through which the shaft* III is driven, the gyratingmovement .of the shaft IQ causes the sleeve bearing Il to turn in itsspherical seat in order -to provide uniform bearing pressure. If somemeans were not provided for permitting the sleeve bearing I1 to alignitself with the shaft i0, the gyrating movement of the shaft would causenonuniform bearing pressures. A

At the conclusion of the extracting operation the power supplied tothedriving mechanism is cut off and rotation of the receptacle is retarded,

for example, by a braking force applied to thel brake drum 9. Whenthisbraking force is applied, the receptacle! tends to rotate fasterthan the shaft i0.. Thiscauses the shoes 52 to be rotated in theopposite direction relative to the squared surface` 53 and to be wedgedbetween this surface and the inner surface of the sleeve. The

force with which the shoes 52 are wedged against Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

` l. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft: a receptacle for receivingliquidand material to be washed, a thrust bearing for supporting saidreceptacle on said shaft in rotatable relation thereto, a vguide bearingbetween said receptacle and said shaft, said bearings being spaced apartalong the shaft suillciently to prevent tilting of the receptacle withreference to the shaft, an agitator the agitator and the shaft whereby.the agitator is oscillated in the receptacle upon oscillation of theshaft, a driving connection between the receptacle and the shaft wherebythe receptacle is rotated to extract liquid from the material containedtherein upon rotation vof the shaft, a'nd means for resilientlysupporting the shaft for gyratory movement during extracting whereby thereceptacle may rotate about its' center of AlllaSS.

When the rotation of the re- 2. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft,al

' receptacle for receiving liquid and material to be washed having ahubsurrounding said shaft, a

thrust bearing at the upper end of. said hub` above the center ofgravity of the receptacle for n supporting the receptacle. on said shaftin rotatable relation thereto, a guide bearing below the centerv ofgravity of the-.receptacle between Asaid hub and saidshaft, an agitatorin said receptacle, a driving connection between the agii tator and theshaft whereby the agitator is oscillated in the receptacle uponoscillation of the shaifigav driving connection between the receptacleand the. shaft whereby the receptacle is rotated to extractliquid-fromthe material contained therein upon rotation of the shaft,and means for resiliently supporting the shaft fo'r gyratory movement,during extracting whereby. the receptacle may rotate about its center ofmass.

3 1n-ra, washing machine, a vertical shaft,

means for 'resiliently supporting said shaft/ 'for 'gyratoryv movement,a receptacle forreceiving liquid and material to be washed, a thrustbearing for supporting said receptacleV on said shaft in vrotatablerelation thereto, a 'guide bearing between said receptacle and saidshaft and spaced from said thrust bearing suiciently, to preventtilting' of lthe receptacle with reference'V to the shaft, an agitatorin said receptacle, a driving connection between the agitator and theshaft 4. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft,`

means including a sleeve surrounding said shaft for guiding said shaftand for resiliently supporting said shaft for gyratory movement, athrust bearing for supporting said receptacle on said shaft in rotatablerelation thereto, a guide bearing between said. receptacle and saidshaft and spaced from said thrust bearing sufliciently to preventtilting of the receptacle with reference to the shaft, a drivingconnection between the' agitator and the shaft whereby the agitator isoscillated in the receptacle upon oscillation of K the shaft, and adriving connection between the i I,so

receptacle and the shaft whereby the receptacle is rotated to extractliquid from the material contained therein upon rotation of the shaft.

5. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a receptacle for receivingliquid and material to be washed, a thrust bearing for supporting saidreceptacle on said shaft in rotatable relation thereto, a guide bearingbetween said shaft and said receptacle, said bearings being spaced apartalong the shaft suiilciently to prevent tilting of the receptacle withreference to the shaft, means operable by said shaft forvagitating thematerial and liquid in said receptacle, a driving connection betweensaid receptacleand said shaft whereby said receptacle is rotatable toextract liquid from the material contained therein'upon rotation of saidshaft, and means for resiliently supporting the sha'ft'for gyratorymovement dur` ing'extracting whereby the receptacle may rotatel aboutits center of mass. n c 6 In a washing machine, a vertical shaft,

' means forresiliently supporting said shaft foi` gyratory` movement, areceptacle for receiving liquid and material to be washed, a thrustbearing above the center of gravity of the receptacle for supportingsaid receptacle on said shaft in rotatable relation thereto, a guidebearing between said shaft and said receptacle below the center ofgravity of the receptacle, means operable by said shaft for agitatingthe material 4and liquid in said receptacle, and a driving connectionbetween said receptacle and said shaft whereby said receptacle isrotatable to extract liquid from the material contained therein uponrotation of said shaft. l

7. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a receptacle vfor receivingliquid and material to be washed, a thrust'bearing above the center ofgravity of the receptacle for supporting the receptacle on the shaft inrotatablerelation there- I'. 'llo ceptacle, a washing element in thereceptacle, a

- driving connection between the washing element and vthe shaft wherebythe washing'element may -be moved relative to the receptacle Vby theshaft -for washing, a driving connection between the shaft and thereceptacle whereby the receptacle 1s rotated to extract uquid from themateriau contained therein upon rotation of theshaft, and means forresiliently supporting the shaft for vgyratory movement duringextracting whereby the receptacle may rotate about its center ofmaterial in the receptacle for washing, a driving connection between thereceptacle and shaft-I whereby the receptacle is rotated to extractliquid from the material contained therein, provisions for supportingthe receptacle wholly on the shaft during extracting, a driving shaft,a' universal joint connecting the shafts, and means for resilientlysupporting the vertical shaft for gyratory movement relative to thedriving shaft during extracting whereby the receptacle may rotate aboutits center of mass.

9. In a washing machine, a receptacle for receiving liquid andv materialto be washed, a vertical shaft, an agitator operable by said shaft foragitating the liquid and material in the receptacle for washing, adriving connection vbetween the receptacle and shaft whereby thereceptacle is rotated to extract 4liquid from the material containedtherein, provisions for supporting the receptacle wholly on the shaftduring extracting, a driving shaft, a universal joint connecting theshafts, and means including a sleeve surrounding the vertical shaft forresiliently supporting the vertical shaft for gyratory movement relativeto the driving shaft, said sleeve including a bearing for the verticalshaft and being out of contact with the receptacle.

l0. In a washing machine, areceptacle for receiving material to bewashed, a vertical shaft extending through the bottom of the receptacle,

an agitator in the receptacle operable by rotation ofy the shaftrelative tothe receptacle, ,a driving connection between the receptacleand shaft whereby thereceptacle is rotatableto extract liquid from thematerial contained therein,

extending through the bottom of the receptacle,

an agitator in the receptacle operable by oscilla- .tion of the shaftrelative to the receptacle, a-

driving connection between the receptacle and shaft whereby thereceptacle is rotated to extract liquid from the material containedtherein, provisionsl for supporting the receptacle wholly on the shaftduring extracting, a driving shaft at the lower' end of the verticalshaft, a universal joint connecting the shafts, and means forresiliently supporting the vertical shaft for gyratory movement relativeto the driving shaft during extracting whereby the receptacle may rotateabout its center of mass.

12. In a washing machine, a receptacle for receiving material to bewashed,.a vertical shaft extending through the bottomof the receptacle,l

lbearing .means supporting the receptacle wholly on the shaft inrotatable relation thereto, a .washing element in the'receptacl'eoperable by rotation of the shaft relative to the'receptacle, a

fri-,161,603

driving connection between the receptacle and .vertical shaft forVgyratory movement relative shaft whereby the Vreceptacle is rotated toexA tract liquid from the material contained therein, a driving shaft atthe lower end of the vertical shaft, a universal jointl connecting theshafts, and meansfor resiliently supporting the to the driving shaftduring extracting whereby the receptacle may rotate about its center ofmass. Y

F. BARIFFI.

